Protective case for mobile electronic device with storage compartment and pivot stand

ABSTRACT

A protective case for a mobile electronic device that includes a storage compartment for a user&#39;s personal items and a pivot stand is disclosed herein. The protective case includes a first or main panel and a second or sub-panel that are configured to cover the storage compartment and provide access thereto. Such access may be provided, for example, via a hinged connection. Each panel may also function as independent pivot stand capable of positioning the case in one or more viewing/operating positions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/936,064, filed on Mar. 26, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/921,923, filed on Oct. 23, 2015, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/067,953, filed on Oct. 23, 2014, the entireties of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to protective cases for mobile electronic devices.

Description of the Related Art

Mobile electronic devices, such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and the like, are known to sustain damage from impact and from contamination as a result of the ingress of water or other fluids. Such damage may result, for example, in a cracked screen, scratches on a finished surface, lost or damaged buttons or controls, cracked or bent external body components, and/or failed or malfunctioning electrical components. Protective cases can protect mobile electronic devices from such damage and other types of damage.

There is a continuing need for protective cases for mobile electronic devices that are capable of providing a compartment to carry personal items (e.g., credit cards, cash, change, business cards, keys, etc.), while also providing multiple viewing/operating positions.

SUMMARY

A protective case for a mobile electronic device that includes a storage compartment for a user's personal items and a pivot stand is disclosed herein. The protective case includes a first or main panel and a second or sub-panel that are configured to cover the storage compartment and provide access thereto. Such access may be provided, for example, via a hinged connection. Each panel may also function as independent pivot stand capable of positioning the case in one or more viewing/operating positions.

The protective case is configured to receive, retain, and protect a mobile electronic device. Such mobile electronic devices typically include a front face and a back face that define the height of the mobile electronic device, a perimeter defined by top, bottom, right, and left sides residing between the front and back faces, and corners defined at the intersecting regions of the sides. The mobile electronic device may be a tablet, a mobile phone, a gaming device, or another portable handheld electronic device and may have one or more touchscreens on its front face and/or back face.

In some embodiments, the protective case includes two primary components, a bottom shell portion and an upper portion. The bottom shell portion is dimensioned and configured to reside below the back side or face of the electronic device. The upper portion generally extends from the bottom shell portion and is dimensioned and configured to cover at least a portion of one or more sides and/or a portion or a perimeter portion of the front face of the mobile electronic device.

The bottom shell portion may be co-molded with the upper portion as respective first and second layers, wherein the bottom shell portion layer is made of material that is more rigid than the co-molded upper portion layer. For example, the bottom shell portion may be formed of a polycarbonate (PC) material while the upper portion layer may be formed of thermoplastic urethane (TPU), a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), nylon, silicone rubber, or a combination thereof. Additional layers may also be co-molded or otherwise incorporated into the protective case.

In some embodiments, the case includes a hinged storage compartment that is accessible via a first panel that opens outwardly from the bottom shell component. When the first panel is opened outwardly, the storage compartment is accessible and the first panel may be employed as a pivot stand that is configured to facilitate the case being positioned at a first angle or viewing/operating position. A second panel or sub-panel may also be hinged to the bottom shell component and/or to the first panel and may also open outwardly from the bottom shell and/or from the first panel to allow for limited access to the storage compartment and/or to provide another pivot stand that will allow the case to be positioned at a second angle that is the same as or different than the first angle or viewing/operating position. Each of the first and second panels may be co-molded to the bottom component at a hinge. The second panel or sub-panel may be co-molded to the first panel and/or to the bottom shell portion at a hinge that is constructed of less rigid material than other regions of the panel and/or bottom shell. In some embodiments, the bottom shell and compartment panels are constructed of a first material and the upper shell and hinge are constructed of a second material that is softer or less rigid than the first material. In some embodiments, the first panel is configured or otherwise dimensioned to mechanically attach or be mechanically retained by or to the bottom shell component. In some embodiments, the second panel or sub-panel is configured or otherwise dimensioned to mechanically attach or be mechanically retained by or to the bottom shell component and/or the first panel. The distal or free end (the end that is opposite the hinged end) of the second panel and/or the first panel may be layered or overlaid with the first softer material to mitigate slippage when the case is in the stand operating position.

Each of the foregoing and various aspects, together with those set forth in the claims and summarized above or otherwise disclosed herein, including the figures, may be combined without limitation to form claims for a device, apparatus, system, method of manufacture, and/or method of use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures provided herewith are intended to illustrate but not to limit the invention. Like reference characters in the figures denote corresponding features consistently throughout similar embodiments. Each drawing is generally to scale and hence relative dimensions of the various layers and components can be determined from the drawings.

FIGS. 1A-1F are front face, back face, left side, right side, top side, and bottom side views, respectively, of an embodiment of the disclosed protective case with a smart phone retained therein.

FIG. 2 is a right side view of the smart phone and the disassembled protective case illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1F illustrating the smart phone and components of the case.

FIGS. 3A-3B are front and back perspective views, respectively, of the disassembled protective case illustrated in FIG. 2 showing the smart phone and the first and second layers that form the bottom shell and an upper portion of the case.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate different viewing/operating positions of the mobile electronic device. FIG. 4A shows a storage compartment second panel or sub-panel pivoted about a first hinge to provide a first viewing angle, and FIG. 4B shows another storage compartment panel (together with the second panel or sub-panel) being pivoted about a second hinge to provide a second viewing angle that is more upright than the first viewing angle.

FIG. 5A is a back face view of the protective case illustrated in FIG. 1 with the storage compartment panels being in the fully closed position and the smart phone contained within the case. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5B-5B in FIG. 5A. FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5C-5C in FIG. 5A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

A protective case for a mobile electronic device that includes a storage compartment for a user's personal items and a pivot stand is disclosed herein. The protective case includes a first or main panel and a second or sub-panel that are configured to cover the storage compartment and provide access thereto. Such access may be provided, for example, via a hinged connection. Each panel may also function as independent pivot stand capable of positioning the case in one or more viewing/operating positions.

The protective case is configured to receive, retain, and protect a mobile electronic device. Such mobile electronic devices typically include a front face and a back face that define the height of the mobile electronic device, a perimeter defined by top, bottom, right, and left sides residing between the front and back faces, and corners defined at the intersecting regions of the sides. The mobile electronic device may be a tablet, a mobile phone, a gaming device, or another portable handheld electronic device and may have one or more touchscreens on its front face and/or back face.

In some embodiments, the protective case includes two primary components, a bottom shell portion and an upper portion. The bottom shell portion is dimensioned and configured to reside below the back side or face of the electronic device. The upper portion generally extends from the bottom shell portion and is dimensioned and configured to cover at least a portion of one or more sides and/or a portion or a perimeter portion of the front face of the mobile electronic device.

The bottom shell portion may be co-molded with the upper portion as respective first and second layers, wherein the bottom shell portion layer is made of material that is more rigid than the co-molded upper portion layer. For example, the bottom shell portion may be formed of a polycarbonate (PC) material while the upper portion layer may be formed of thermoplastic urethane (TPU), a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), nylon, silicone rubber, or a combination thereof. Additional layers may also be co-molded or otherwise incorporated into the protective case.

In some embodiments, the case includes a hinged storage compartment that is accessible via a first panel that opens outwardly from the bottom shell component. When the first panel is opened outwardly, the storage compartment is accessible and the first panel may be employed as a pivot stand that is configured to facilitate the case being positioned at a first angle or viewing/operating position. A second panel or sub-panel may also be hinged to the bottom shell component and/or to the first panel and may also open outwardly from the bottom shell and/or from the first panel to allow for limited access to the storage compartment and/or to provide another pivot stand that will allow the case to be positioned at a second angle that is the same as or different than the first angle or viewing/operating position. Each of the first and second panels may be co-molded to the bottom component at a hinge. The second panel or sub-panel may be co-molded to the first panel and/or to the bottom shell portion at a hinge that is constructed of less rigid material than other regions of the panel and/or bottom shell. In some embodiments, the bottom shell and compartment panels are constructed of a first material and the upper shell and hinge are constructed of a second material that is softer or less rigid than the first material. In some embodiments, the first panel is configured or otherwise dimensioned to mechanically attach or be mechanically retained by or to the bottom shell component. In some embodiments, the second panel or sub-panel is configured or otherwise dimensioned to mechanically attach or be mechanically retained by or to the bottom shell component and/or the first panel. The distal or free end (the end that is opposite the hinged end) of the second panel and/or the first panel may be layered or overlaid with the first softer material to mitigate slippage when the case is in the stand operating position.

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate a protective case 200 for a mobile electronic device 100, and individually and collectively illustrate, by way of example only, various of the configuration and construction aspects of the disclosed protective case. In the embodiment shown, the case is configured for an Apple® iPhone® 6 Plus smart phone device. It should be understood, however, that the case may be configured for any mobile electronic device, including but not limited to portable or cellular phones, audio/video devices, gaming devices, laptop computers, and tablet computing devices.

As best depicted in FIGS. 1A-1F, the protective case 200 includes front and back face walls 210 and 220 and left and right side walls 230 and 240, and top and bottom side walls 250 and 260. The side walls 230, 240, 250, and 260 reside between the front and back faces. Each of the walls 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, and 260 are dimensioned to correspond in dimension to the front and back faces, and left, right, top, and bottom sides of a mobile electronic device 100, respectively. As illustrated in the drawings, the front face wall 210 includes an aperture that facilitates visibility to the front face touchscreen of the device 100 and allows for insertion and removal of the device into and out of the case 200.

Collectively the side walls 230, 240, 250, and 260 define a perimeter 270 between the front and back faces 210 and 220 of the protective case 200 and are dimensioned to receive and retain the mobile electronic device 100 within the case 200 as depicted in the drawings.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3A-3B, a lower or bottom shell portion 300 is defined by first inner and outer surfaces 310 and 311, respectively, and is dimensioned to cover the back face of the mobile electronic device 100. The first bottom shell 300 may be configured to extend to the perimeter of the mobile electronic device 100 at the back face boundary, which is the perimeter defined by the intersection of the side walls and the back face of the mobile electronic device 100.

The bottom shell portion 300 may be configured to cover the entire, a majority, half, or less than half of the back face of the mobile electronic device 100 and may be configured to extend to or around the entire, a majority, half, or less than half of the perimeter of the mobile electronic device 100 at the back face boundary.

In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom shell portion 300 is configured to cover the back face of the mobile electronic device 100, with the exception of the flash and camera lens window aperture 224 and the storage compartment 560 that is covered by the storage compartment panels 570 and 580 that are hinged and co-molded to the upper portion 500, which is in turn co-molded to the bottom shell portion 300. The bottom shell 300 is dimensioned to extend about the entire perimeter of the back face of the mobile electronic device 100. It should be understood, however, that alternative configurations may be employed. Perimeter regions in the bottom shell 300 that reside between one or more of the corners may be removed. Mid-section regions of the bottom shell 300 may be removed to allow for access to, or user utilization of, user controls, additional touchscreen interfaces, and/or other device features (e.g., speakers, cameras, lights, microphone, etc.) that are located on the side walls and/or back face of the mobile electronic device 100.

The second layer or upper portion 500 is also defined by inner and outer surfaces 510 and 511, respectively. The upper portion 500 is generally dimensioned to cover the top, bottom, right and/or left sides of the mobile electronic device 100, while in the illustrated embodiment, the upper portion 500 extends around the entire perimeter of the mobile electronic device 100, it may alternatively have a different configuration. Thus, it is contemplated that the upper portion 500 may cover the entire, a majority, half, or less than half of the top, bottom, right and/or left sides of the mobile electronic device and/or may be configured to extend around less than the entire, a majority, half, or less than half of the perimeter of the mobile electronic device 100 in any combination. The upper portion 500 includes the one or more mobile electronic device control apertures that extend through the layer and/or include control buttons or interfaces that are dimensioned and positioned to allow access to and/or control of the underlying control buttons and/or ports (e.g., power button, volume button, ringer silent switch, headphone jack, microphone opening, speaker grill, and data/charging port) on the mobile electronic device 100.

The upper portion 500 and bottom shell portion 300 define a storage area or compartment 560, which in the illustrated embodiment is sized to receive personal items such as, but not limited to, credit cards, a driver's license, cash, etc.

The bottom shell 300 includes an opening 360 sized to receive and retain in position a major or first storage compartment panel 570. The first storage compartment panel 570 is configured to open and close along hinges 562. The first storage compartment panel 570 is configured or dimensioned to cover the personal items stored in the storage area 560 when the first storage compartment panel 570 is positioned in a closed position, as best illustrated in FIGS. 1B, 4A, and 5A-C. When the first storage compartment panel 570 is opened as shown in FIG. 4B, personal items such as credit cards can be inserted into or taken out from the storage area 560.

The bottom shell portion 300 may have a recessed area or slot 390 to facilitate a user opening and/or closing the panel 570. The bottom shell 300 may have one or more stops 370 to provide support to the panel as well as an ending position for the panel 570 when the panel 570 is in a closed position and may also include indents 395 that receive protrusions 595 to snap lock the panel 570 in the dosed position.

In the illustrated embodiment, the panel 570 includes a secondary opening 576 sized to receive a minor or second panel or sub-panel 580. The sub-panel 580 is configured to independently open or close along a hinge 564. When the sub-panel 580 is opened while panel 570 remains closed as shown in FIG. 4A, the case 200 is configured to be in a reading/viewing position while personal items can remain retained and protected safely within the storage area or compartment 560 that remains covered by the panel 570. The sub-panel 580 may also serve as a preview window that allows the user to look into the compartment to confirm the contents thereof without risking those items falling out of the compartment or being fully exposed.

Panel 570 may have one or more stops 574 to provide an end or fully closed position for sub-panel 580 when sub-panel 580 is closed into panel 570. Therefore, when panel 570 is pivoted outward about hinge 562 as shown in FIG. 4B, sub-panel 580 can be retained therein and the two panels may be moved or pivoted together outwardly in a locked configuration. A soft tip or gripping region 584 (which may be co-molded onto the panel) is positioned at the free end 588 of the sub-panel 580. The free end of the sub-panel 580 may have a recess area 586 to facilitate the user opening and pivoting or moving the sub-panel 580. This soft tip or gripping surface 584 may also provide additional friction to further stabilize the standing position on a surface as shown in FIG. 4A when the case in put in a reading/viewing position. A slot or recessed area 578 may be configured on panel 570 to provide easy access to the free end of the sub-panel 580.

Thus, the case 200 is provided with a storage compartment 560 that is easily accessible while also providing one or more reading/viewing positions. Hence, when the subpanel 580 is open and the case 200 is placed on a table or desk as shown in FIG. 4A, the case 200 provides the user a first reading/operating position. When the panel 570 is open and the case 200 is placed on a table or desk as shown in FIG. 4B, the case 200 can provide the user a second reading/operating position that, as illustrated in FIG. 4B, positions the mobile electronic device in a more upright or vertical position than the operating position illustrated in FIG. 4A. Also as illustrated in the drawings, the relative dimensions of the first and second panels 570 and 580 serve to facilitate retention of the personal items while allowing the user to stand-up the case 200 and the mobile electronic device 100 in a viewing/operating position, such as that illustrated in FIG. 4A. As illustrated in the drawings, the first or primary panel 570 is more than double the size of the secondary panel or subpanel 580. The subpanel 580 is positioned centrally within the primary panel 570 so that the contents of the storage compartment 560 are enclosed around the perimeter by the primary panel 570 even when the sub-panel 580 is swung out at the hinge into the open stand position as illustrated in FIG. 4A.

While, the first and second or bottom and upper portions 300 and 500 together with the pivot panel 570, pivot sub-panel 580, and the soft tip or gripping surface 584 may be co-molded all together to form an integrated case 200 construction or construct, it should be understood that it is contemplated that only portions of one or more of the portions or components may be co-molded, or each of the components may be separately formed and mechanically attached to one another by clips, snaps, or latches between each of the components or between, for example, the bottom and upper portions. A combination of co-molding and mechanical attachment of the layers or portions thereof may also be employed. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom shell portion and upper portion 300 and 500 including the storage compartment panels and sub-panels 570 and 580 and the hinges 562 and 564 are co-molded together, such that the bottom shell portion 300 and panels and sub-panels 570 and 580 are made of a first material and the upper portion 500, hinges 562 and 564, and the gripping surface or tip 584 are made of a second material that is more elastic, softer and/or less rigid than the first material. The panels 570 and 580 are attached to the upper portion 500 via flanges 590 that are co-molded to hinges 562 and 564 respectively.

FIG. 5B best illustrates the flanges 590 that may be provided to facilitate the connection between the panel 570 and hinge 562, between the sub-panel 580 and hinge 564, and between the soft gripping surface or tip 584 and the sub-panel 580.

In a fully integrated or co-molded construction, the case 200 would be properly dimensioned and have sufficient flexibility to allow the user to insert and remove the mobile electronic device 100 without damage to the case 200. The flexibility may be implemented via the materials used to construct the case and the configuration of the co-molded layers or components. The panels 570 and 580 may be constructed so that they are biased toward the closed position. In this way the user would need to provide some force to open or swing the panels 570 and 580 open when accessing the storage compartment or when being used to support a viewing/operating position. The weight of the mobile electronic device will tend to offset the bias of the panels 570 and/or 580 when used to support a viewing/operating position.

When the components are modular or separable from one another, a user may wrap the upper portion 500 around the mobile electronic device 100 and then slip the bottom shell 300 in position around the upper portion 500 and the mobile electronic device 100. The clips, snaps, hooks, or other mechanical attachments may, if needed, be formed or molded into: (a) two or more of the components at their perimeter regions, (b) the control buttons and corresponding apertures on the bottom or upper portions 300 and 500 and/or (c) at any region where two layers or components are in contact or in proximity to one another. Thus, a combination of co-molding and/or mechanical attachment of the layers may be employed. It should be understood, however, that the shell portion 300 and upper portion 500 may be dimensioned so that the shell portion 300 snugly receives the upper portion 500 containing the mobile electronic device 100 and the force of that snug fit by itself retains the upper portion 500 (containing the mobile electronic device 100) within the shell portion 300.

The materials that form the components may be selected based on their hardness or rigidity. For example, the bottom shell portion 300 may be made of a first material that has a first hardness or rigidity, and the upper portion 500 may be made of a second material that has a second hardness or rigidity that is different from the first hardness. In some preferred embodiments, the first hardness is greater than the second hardness. In some embodiments, the first rigidity is greater than the second rigidity.

In the illustrated embodiment, the material that forms panel 570 and sub-panel 580 is the same as the material that forms the bottom shell 300. The material that forms the soft less-rigid gripping surface or tip 584 and hinges 562 and 564 is the same softer less-rigid material that forms the upper portion 500.

The bottom and upper portions 300 and 500 may be formed of a composition composed of one or more materials including but not limited to polycarbonate, thermoplastic urethane (TPU), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), nylon, metal, silicone rubber, or any combination thereof. For example, the bottom shell 300, which is the harder and more rigid of the two layers, may be formed of a composition composed of polycarbonate (PC), a combination of polycarbonate and ABS, nylon, fiber reinforced plastic, and/or metal. The upper portion 500, which has a softer layer, may be formed, for example, of a composition composed of TPU and/or TPE, a combination thereof, or other suitable material(s).

The bottom shell 300 may have a Shore A durometer hardness that is 50% or more greater than the second layer or upper portion 500, 40% or more greater than the second layer 500, 30% or more greater than the second layer, 20% or more greater than the second layer, or 10% or more greater than the second layer, all ±5% as measured using the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard D2240. The first layer may have a Shore A durometer hardness of 100±15, 100±10, or 100±5, or 100 as measured using the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard D2240. The second layer may have a Shore A durometer hardness of 65±15, 65±10, 65±5, or 65 as measured using the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard D2240. It should be understood that the two layers may have a Shore A hardness that is any combination of the hardnesses described above.

In operation, the user would insert the mobile electronic device 100 into the case 200 through the more pliable less rigid upper portion that defines the upper section of the case 200 and the device compartment. Once inserted into the case 200, the user may hinge open panels 570 and 580 to access the storage compartment and insert one or more credit cards or other personal items into the storage compartment 560 and then close panel 570 with or without closing panel 580. Once the panel 570 is closed the personal items are secured within the compartment 560. The user may then extend the sub-panel 580 to support the case and the mobile electronic device in the viewing/operating position depicted in FIG. 4A. Alternatively, the user may extend panel 570 to support the case and the mobile electronic device in another more upright viewing/operating position as depicted in FIG. 4B. It should be understood that the storage compartment 560 may be any shape or size. For example, the storage compartment 560 may be formed with greater volume to receive thicker items or may be formed in different shapes to receive specific sized coins or memory sticks or other earphones or plugs. In some embodiments, the storage compartment is dimensioned to receive and store wireless or wired ear-buds and the controllers and a supporting power source. In other embodiments, the storage compartment 560 may be dimensioned to receive and store pharmaceutical products, a passport, or make-up. The inner surfaces of the panels 570 and or 580 may include a mirror or reflective surface or a money clip for retention of cash.

The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention disclosed herein. Although the various inventive aspects are disclosed in the context of certain illustrated embodiments, implementations, and examples, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while a number of variations of various inventive aspects have been shown and described in detail, other modifications that are within their scope will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art based upon reviewing this disclosure. It should be also understood that the scope of this disclosure includes the various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein, such that the various features, modes of implementation, and aspects of the disclosed subject matter may be combined with or substituted for one another. The generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Similarly, the disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intent that any claim set forth below requires more features than are expressly recited in that claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects may reside in a combination of fewer than all features of any single foregoing disclosed embodiment.

Each of the foregoing and various aspects, together with those set forth in the claims and summarized above or otherwise disclosed herein, including the figures, may be combined without limitation to form claims for a device, apparatus, system, method of manufacture, and/or method of use.

All references cited herein are hereby expressly incorporated by reference. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A protective case configured to reversibly receive and retain a mobile electronic device, said protective case comprising: a device compartment; a bottom shell portion; an upper portion that is co-molded to the bottom shell portion; a user storage compartment defined by the bottom shell portion and the upper portion, wherein the user storage compartment is dimensioned to receive at least one personal item; a first panel that is co-molded to the upper portion at a first hinge, wherein the first panel is configured to lock closed into the bottom shell portion at a first end and swing outwardly at a second end along the first hinge to allow access to the storage compartment; and a second panel that is co-molded to the upper portion at a second hinge, wherein the second panel is configured to swing open and closed along the second hinge independently from the first panel, wherein when the second panel is moved independently from said first panel, the second panel forms a support stand configured to allow positioning of the case in a first operating position, wherein the bottom shell portion comprises a first material and the upper portion comprises a second material different than the first material, and wherein the first material is more rigid than the second material, and wherein the second panel is lockable within the first panel. 